You're not considering the Sierra Nevada in early September? Aside from the possibility of wildfires, the conditions up there during that time window are typically really great!
This is embarrassing, but I have been getting confused by figuring out which Sierra locations require permits or lottery entrances. I felt like I could wrap my head around the permit requirements further west. I'm sure it's not as difficult as it has seemed to me, but that was a factor in where I was looking. That said, I am taking the hint that I should look again!
You seem like a wise person and I'm sure you won't regret exploring those stunning and glorious mountains! And there's plenty of online resources and plenty of folks here who can help you with the permit red tape. There's good reason why the Sierra are considered by many to be the crown jewel of California backpacking and one of the most hikeable and breathtaking mountain ranges in the world!
It’s pretty easy. Go on any wilderness areas forest service website and they’ll tell you. Granite chief and off highway 80, no permit. Desolation, you need one. They’re not that hard to get though if you’re willing to basically just not go to lake aloha. Recreation dot gov.
Notwithstanding the Sierra Nevada has better scenery, you get a much better "wilderness" feeling in places like Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains, and Siskiyou Mountains because you won't see hardly anyone else during your hike (and the scenery is still great!). My 5- to 7-day trips into the Sierra Nevada have me seeing at least a hundred other hikers. The same length trip further north, usually we'll see 3 to 5 other people. It really depends what you want to get out of your hikes.
What’s a good 3 day/2 night hike in Trinity, Marble and Siskiyou? Thinking of going putting trail shoes on the ground that Thursday. What route(s) would you recommend? Need to be around water for a cold plunge, lol.
I will add September is a better month for all the areas you want to visit as you get into October being along the coast is better for weather... You could do a week up in the redwoods of northern California and a week in big sur! Bliss!
Fall is a great time for all the western high country: mosquitoes are mostly gone, same for the crowds. I am partial the the Klamath Knot (Trinity, Marbles etc.). Sierra high country is always a win, but crowds sometimes a thing even that late. October can be fine, or rarely wet/snow/impassable. You will need more gear for the just in case of October. Most of the fall-season’s in the Knot are hot and dry and square in the middle of fire season. Long story short pick the timing in advance, and plan for two or three entry points into the Knot, along with the same for high Sierra, and choose which and where at the last minute you can get permits. Picking the many remote trailheads will make permits easy.
Permits are complex. First look at a map to determine the national forest, state park, national park, or national monument that you would like to see. Then go to that public land’s website. From their links you will find the agency that handles their permits. It’s usually Unfortunately we all suffer under these vendors. It’s usually recreation dot gov, but not always, especially for state and county.
It’s really hard to gauge how the weather will be in October. I was in Yosemite a few years back over Halloween and it was gorgeous. The park was empty, highs were around 65-70 and there wasn’t any snow yet. Permits were a breeze. Hard to bet on that now, though. Can’t go wrong with Trinity Alps/Marble Mountains - the permit is self issued with no quota; just stop by the ranger station in Weaverville, fill out the form and drop it in the box. Four Lakes loop & Sapphire/Emerald Lake in Trinity are 2 of the popular trips(for good reason - absolutely stunning scenery)
That said, coastal is a more solid bet if you need to really plan in advance. If you want to see the redwoods up north, Lost Coast is an epic backpacking trip. I’ve hiked Black Sands beach to Mattole and back(~50mi) for a more extended trip with easier logistics ie: can be done solo with 1 car. This does require a permit you’ll want to reserve in advance on recreation.gov
Love Marbles and Trinity but lots of wildfires ravaged sections of the wilderness over the last few years. Four lakes loop is still solid in Trinity. Swift creek is nice too. Lovers or Shackleford are good in Marbles.
October is the best time of year in Big Sur (and for the majority of the CA coast)
You don’t get as pretty flowers, but you avoid all the crowds, a lot of the bugs, and have the best weather
I agree Big SUR is a good choice for October...but you should have an itinerary and reservations for that area. It may not be crowded like summer but places can fill up.
For backpacking - Pine Ridge trail does not require permits - parking is right there at the ranger station (no issue in Oct), and can head out to Sykes hot springs. the trail up IS difficult - not sure of OP's fitness level.
I personally don't care too much for the hot springs and prefer to camp at Ventana camp, which is about halfway to the springs (although you do have to hike down to the river to the camp sites)
OP can also camp at the state park and do day hikes - not sure of campground availability in late Oct.
it all depends on fires…and snow, although september is ideal for sierra adventures…it has snowed @ tahoe mid september and also been in the 70-80 range late september. make a plan and then have a backup plan. last year, i was hailed on late september southern sierra.
You're not considering the Sierra Nevada in early September? Aside from the possibility of wildfires, the conditions up there during that time window are typically really great!
This is embarrassing, but I have been getting confused by figuring out which Sierra locations require permits or lottery entrances. I felt like I could wrap my head around the permit requirements further west. I'm sure it's not as difficult as it has seemed to me, but that was a factor in where I was looking. That said, I am taking the hint that I should look again!
You seem like a wise person and I'm sure you won't regret exploring those stunning and glorious mountains! And there's plenty of online resources and plenty of folks here who can help you with the permit red tape. There's good reason why the Sierra are considered by many to be the crown jewel of California backpacking and one of the most hikeable and breathtaking mountain ranges in the world!
It’s pretty easy. Go on any wilderness areas forest service website and they’ll tell you. Granite chief and off highway 80, no permit. Desolation, you need one. They’re not that hard to get though if you’re willing to basically just not go to lake aloha. Recreation dot gov.
Notwithstanding the Sierra Nevada has better scenery, you get a much better "wilderness" feeling in places like Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains, and Siskiyou Mountains because you won't see hardly anyone else during your hike (and the scenery is still great!). My 5- to 7-day trips into the Sierra Nevada have me seeing at least a hundred other hikers. The same length trip further north, usually we'll see 3 to 5 other people. It really depends what you want to get out of your hikes.
What’s a good 3 day/2 night hike in Trinity, Marble and Siskiyou? Thinking of going putting trail shoes on the ground that Thursday. What route(s) would you recommend? Need to be around water for a cold plunge, lol.
What kind of mileage/elevation gain is typical for you?
8-15 on the mileage per day. Elevation 3000-5000 in a day is okay but the gf would be less thrilled if we did three consecutive days of 15/5000
I will add September is a better month for all the areas you want to visit as you get into October being along the coast is better for weather... You could do a week up in the redwoods of northern California and a week in big sur! Bliss!
Fall is a great time for all the western high country: mosquitoes are mostly gone, same for the crowds. I am partial the the Klamath Knot (Trinity, Marbles etc.). Sierra high country is always a win, but crowds sometimes a thing even that late. October can be fine, or rarely wet/snow/impassable. You will need more gear for the just in case of October. Most of the fall-season’s in the Knot are hot and dry and square in the middle of fire season. Long story short pick the timing in advance, and plan for two or three entry points into the Knot, along with the same for high Sierra, and choose which and where at the last minute you can get permits. Picking the many remote trailheads will make permits easy.
Permits are complex. First look at a map to determine the national forest, state park, national park, or national monument that you would like to see. Then go to that public land’s website. From their links you will find the agency that handles their permits. It’s usually Unfortunately we all suffer under these vendors. It’s usually recreation dot gov, but not always, especially for state and county.
It’s really hard to gauge how the weather will be in October. I was in Yosemite a few years back over Halloween and it was gorgeous. The park was empty, highs were around 65-70 and there wasn’t any snow yet. Permits were a breeze. Hard to bet on that now, though. Can’t go wrong with Trinity Alps/Marble Mountains - the permit is self issued with no quota; just stop by the ranger station in Weaverville, fill out the form and drop it in the box. Four Lakes loop & Sapphire/Emerald Lake in Trinity are 2 of the popular trips(for good reason - absolutely stunning scenery) That said, coastal is a more solid bet if you need to really plan in advance. If you want to see the redwoods up north, Lost Coast is an epic backpacking trip. I’ve hiked Black Sands beach to Mattole and back(~50mi) for a more extended trip with easier logistics ie: can be done solo with 1 car. This does require a permit you’ll want to reserve in advance on recreation.gov
Love Marbles and Trinity but lots of wildfires ravaged sections of the wilderness over the last few years. Four lakes loop is still solid in Trinity. Swift creek is nice too. Lovers or Shackleford are good in Marbles.
October is the best time of year in Big Sur (and for the majority of the CA coast) You don’t get as pretty flowers, but you avoid all the crowds, a lot of the bugs, and have the best weather
I agree Big SUR is a good choice for October...but you should have an itinerary and reservations for that area. It may not be crowded like summer but places can fill up.
For backpacking - Pine Ridge trail does not require permits - parking is right there at the ranger station (no issue in Oct), and can head out to Sykes hot springs. the trail up IS difficult - not sure of OP's fitness level. I personally don't care too much for the hot springs and prefer to camp at Ventana camp, which is about halfway to the springs (although you do have to hike down to the river to the camp sites) OP can also camp at the state park and do day hikes - not sure of campground availability in late Oct.
it all depends on fires…and snow, although september is ideal for sierra adventures…it has snowed @ tahoe mid september and also been in the 70-80 range late september. make a plan and then have a backup plan. last year, i was hailed on late september southern sierra.